Kelun-Biotech and Crescent Biopharma announce strategic partnership to develop and commercialize novel oncology therapeutics

CAR-T Digest - August 2020

04 December 2025: Kelun-Biotech and Crescent Biopharma announce strategic partnership to develop and commercialize novel oncology therapeutics

Kelun-Biotech and Crescent Biopharma have entered a strategic partnership to co-develop and commercialize two oncology assets: CR-001, a PD-1 × VEGF bispecific antibody, and SKB105, an ITGB6-targeting ADC, bringing together complementary expertise in immunotherapy and ADC innovation
As part of the agreement, Kelun-Biotech will receive $80 million upfront and up to $1.25 billion in milestones for SKB105, while Crescent will gain $20 million upfront and up to $30 million in milestones for CR-001, with both companies benefiting from mutual royalty streams, reflecting the shared value of the collaboration
The partnership also defines clear regional rights: Kelun-Biotech will hold rights to CR-001 in Greater China, while Crescent secures rights to SKB105 across the U.S., Europe, and other global markets outside China, expanding each company’s footprint in key territories
Both programs are preparing to enter Phase 1/2 monotherapy trials in Q1 2026, with combination studies planned as the next step to explore broader therapeutic potential
Central to the collaboration is a focus on synergistic development, including combinations of CR-001 with SKB105, as well as CR-001 with other ADCs within Crescent’s pipeline, aiming to unlock more effective multi-modal treatment strategies for patients